Should I give in and get this kitten?

[pamplemousse]

Some no nonsense advice please!
Have always had cats in family etc so know what responsibility/expense wise what I am looking at...
Just wondering if I am being dim witted and letting me wanting this cat take over what is sensible.....
Have a dd - 8 months old, crawling etc, I don't see it as a problem, we were brought up with cats and kitten and I find that they tend to avoid babies anyway.
Biiiiig downside is I have no garden... But people have house cats right? And in a couple of years (or asap if dh has his way!) we will be moving and a garden is no 1 on list of wants, so it won't be without the outdoor world forever.
I want to ask the guy who has the kitten - is it vaccinated, defleaed, wormed and litter trained, is there anything else I should ask him?

[beautifulgirls]

Pet insurance is a big must for indoor or outdoor cats. I would also say that a cat who has been used to going out is less likely to adapt to being a house cat than a young kitten who knows no different - check what it has been used to first. We had a cat before kids, but in my experience kids and litter trays do not mix very well. When we need a litter tray to be used thankfully we have an area that we can put a litter tray up on a surface in a utility room where the kids cant reach it, and any mess does not matter in terms of hygiene - but that is not always an option, depends on your home layout. You would want to know the temperament of the kitten too - not all cats are as friendly and tollerant, and they dont all run away from kids either. Think very hard - I know so many people who have rehomed pets once kids are on the scene because they just cant cope. There will always be kittens available in a couple of years when you move

[cornsilk]

You also need to consider holidays - have you someone who will look after it?

[pabamella]

NO

I got one for my child when he was 12 months old, he terrorised it, picked it up by its legs ect,

He was scratched by it. Kept making a go for the litter tray, food ect.

It lasted about a week before being rehomed. Its a hell of a lot more work when you have a little one as well.

[pamplemousse]

All good points, I would get insurance for sure, a litter tray on the stairs would be fine and I look after my friends two cats when she is on holiday and she would do the same for me. As its only a small kitten it has never gone outside anyway....

[pamplemousse]

All good points, I would get insurance for sure, a litter tray on the stairs would be fine and I look after my friends two cats when she is on holiday and she would do the same for me. As its only a small kitten it has never gone outside anyway....

[pamplemousse]

pabamella I see what you are saying there, thanks for the advice!

[suis]

WE've got 2 cats and 5mth DS, one cat takes nothing to do with him at all and just keeps well away, the other quite likes him and will submit to being stroked by him and even tolerates having his fur and tail pulled without really bothering about it. So it really depends on the temperament of the individual cat.

I also have a friend with 2 cats who were originally indoor cats, but were about 2years old when they moved to have a garden and adapted very easily to going outside. She also has 2 DCs and a third enroute and has no problems with her cats.

Questions for the guy with the kitten... what's the medical history with the kitten's parents, lots of medical conditions can run in families with animals too.

[bellabelly]

I can't help feeling that it's a bit mean to keep cats cooped up indoors all the time. Is there no way it could go outside sometimes?
Apart from that issue, I reckon of course you should have the kitten!

[lilysmum2007]

we have got 6mnth old, a crazy terrier and a 12 week old kitten the only trouble i have is making sure the dog doesnt get too rough with the kitten. keeping a cat inside is fine i have done lots of animal care courses just provide scratch posts, toys and of course lots of love!!!

[Malfoynomore]

you don't have to have a garden to let a cat out, though, do you...I mean, once grown up they will wander and jump fences etc...anyway...must say am not a great friend of keeping cats indoors all the time...and tbh, surely it can't be good for them healthwise...surely they need to have sunlight for Vit D as much as us humans...or is that different for cats?

[Brangelina]

I have 2 cats both of whom stay indoors as we live in a flat with a mad cat-hating neighbour across the landing. I also have a 2yo who has been surrounded by them since she was born and has had no problems apart from the odd warning clawless scratch went she went too far. Cat 1 always kept out her way until recently and cat 2 puts up with pretty much anything.

I think for the indoors thing some breeds are better than others but then most cats will adapt, so long as they have enough stimulation. Cat 1 is a Persian cross and is generally quite content not going out and getting his paws dirty. we used to live somewhere where I could let him out into a courtyard but he always only ever went as far as my neighbour's to poo in her cat's litter tray and then sleep in his bed. Cat 2 is a foundling moggy but she's always been scared of her own shadow so staying indoors suits her too.

[MegBusset]

My cat has on occasion been an indoor cat due to living situation, it's never really bothered her and even now she has full run of the outdoors she rarely goes further than outside the back door (it's a lovely day today and we have the door open, but she has been next to me on sofa all day). But I'm sure some cats/kittens would go stir-crazy. Would you consider getting an older cat from a rescue centre? They might be more happy to have a relaxed indoor lifestyle (got to be better than sitting in a cage in the rescue home anyway).

Alternatively would it be safe to leave a window open for your cat to wander in and out of - I lived in a 2nd floor flat a few years ago and my cat used to climb out the bathroom window and sit on the roof!

[mamazon]

i have a kitten ( she is 11 weeks now) and she will be a house cat despite us having a very large garden.

we live quite close to busey roads and i couldn't deal with her being hit.
our last cat was allowed into teh garden and we put those spikey strips on teh top of teh fences to try and contain her to the garden, it didn't work and she was attacked by another cat and whilst trying to get home injured was hit by a car.

being a house cat is not such a bad thing.

i would agree that babies don't really make good litter mates for kittens but no doubt teh kitten will learn soon enough to stay away.